SNCC Road Race Plans Meeting
6th Jan 2015
White Horse, Eaton Socon.

Present: Dan Baxter, Chris Green, Lee Houghton, Adam Hutchinson, Adrian Lancaster, Simon Murphy, Richard Ostler, David Palmer, Tim Pennell, Ed Porteus, Simon Richardson, Simon Rinaldo, Wayne Tunnah, Harry Wade, Steve Walker

Apologies:  Tom Dunkley, Joe Finucane, David Hennessey, Mike Newell, Gary Newman, David Silk

1. Interest from membership

So far 21 members (listed in present and apologies) are planning to or have expressed an interest in road racing for the 2016 season. The majority of members are either 3rd or 4th cat, only 1 currently holds a 2nd cat licence, although more have previously.

2. Development of SNCC road racing

There was discussion around the direction of road racing, and racing in general within the club. 2016 is the first year where SNCC will be taking a coordinated approach to road racing. This is largely driven by the new NCRA summer series races which will provide the club with a great opportunity to enter and race as a team. With the new provision of closed circuit racing at Alconbury, there are also now more opportunities for SNCC members to race locally than ever before.

For 2016 the road race ambitions are to:

  1. Develop a coordinated approach to road racing

  2. Develop a strong team ethos

  3. Support SNCC members new to road racing

  4. Provide training opportunities with a dual focus on technique and speedwork

  5. Target specific high profile races with the aim of achieving high overall results

  6. By working as a team to help individual members to achieve personal race goals (e.g. moving up a race category)

  7. Aim for a top 20 BC regional ranking.   

While these ambitions are relatively modest, they are open to evolve during the year and into 2017. However, the direction road racing in SNCC takes will largely be driven by the continued level of interest from members and just how successful we actually are!

3. Club promoted events

SNCC is promoting two races as part of the NCRA on Sunday 10th April and Sunday 26th June

SNCC is expecting to promote two summer evening circuit races at Alconbury, but no dates yet confirmed.

4. 2016 Calendar

RO ran through the calendar for 2016. It was noted that ERRL events may be difficult to enter since these races are generally over-subscribed and SNCC is not currently affiliated.  

Summer evening circuit races and the merits of different circuits were discussed. Summer evening races were noted as:

LVRC, MK Bowl Tuesdays
Alconbury, Tuesdays
Lotus Cars race track (Norwich), Wednesdays
Rockingham Speedway, Thursdays (mix of handicap and scratch)
Mallory Park, Leicester
MK Bowl, Thursdays

Actions:

RO to organise allocations for the NCRA spring series races

RO to publish an updated race calendar with listing all local road races

RO, DH & S Rinaldo will identify additional races for the club to target.  

5. Selection for over-subscribed races

For NCRA promoted races there will generally be a club allocation of 5 places. Where the allocation is over-subscribed, places will be allocated on the following criteria:

  1. Member has committed to support an SNCC promoted race event (all racing club members will be expected to support, e.g. through marshalling) at least one SNCC promoted event

  2. Attendance at previous races - if members have an entry they will be expected to attend the race unless either cancelled by the organisers or for some unforeseen exceptional circumstances - a bit of rain doesn’t count!

  3. In general, allocations will be made across members as fairly as possible, subject to points 1 and 2 above. For certain targeted events where the club is aiming for a good result, allocation will be based on merit with the aim of fielding the strongest possible team, but still subject to points 1 and 2 above.

6. Training

There was a bit of discussion around this. There was general recognition that due to members personal commitments it would be difficult to organise a regular training slot that all could attend. The idea of adding a training ride to the Sunday club run was discussed, but agreed this wasn’t really appropriate. The Tuesday night Chain Gang will continue as the primary training ride.

There was discussion around the format of the Chain Gang and there was generally agreement to re-visit the Bushmead circuit for a hare and hounds ride.

Coaching and nutrition were not discussed, however, MN has separately stated a willingness to provide sports nutrition advice based on his PHD work.  

Action:

RO to discuss with MN, nutrition advice

RO to organise dates for two Saturday rides, before March, focusing on technique

DH to organise formats for chain gang rides

RO to ask experienced members to share training techniques/insights